An investment in our future
Librarians at the Ventura County Library Libraries transform the lives of thousands of individuals and families in our community every day. Click on any of the photos below for stories about Growing Minds Countywide.
As a boy growing up in El Salvador, Guido Argueta dreamed of flying. He hoped to be a pilot one day. He was insatiably curious and liked mathematics.
At the time, however, El Salvador was torn by civil war. When he was five years old, his mother sought safety for herself and her two sons by moving in with their grandmother while hoping to eventually make their way to the United States. After many years and much effort, their visas were approved and Guido took flight with his mother and brother from El Salvador to Thousand Oaks, California.
As a new arrival and 16 years old, Guido enrolled in a local high school. The first few months were “okay,” but homesickness and culture shock soon set in. The most difficult part of the transition was learning a new language. He worked hard and learned quickly. Nevertheless, when he turned 18, he was only at the sophomore level and aged out of comprehensive high school. He went to work as a cashier and not long afterwards got a job at the nearby hospital in the central supply department. A friend later offered him an opportunity to work for better pay in the construction field, where he has been employed for the past several years.
Guido’s life moved ahead. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen, married, and had children. He was successful in his job. All the time, however, he knew that he needed a high school diploma for career advancement opportunities and to set a good example for his children.
When his younger son entered kindergarten, he began to ask questions about what he was learning in school. Guido wanted to better understand and support his children’s development and education. He thought about getting a GED. Then one day he heard an advertisement on television about online education programs, and that led him to the Ventura County Library’s Career Online High School (COHS). He completed the application process and enrolled at the age of 40. He was able to transfer the credits he earned in high school, and in just under one year earned his high school diploma along with a career certificate in home health care. He plans to enroll in a program to prepare for the state board certification exam in hospital central services.
To the staff at Ventura County Library, Guido says, “Thank you for your help and support.” To anyone thinking about going back to school, Guido says, “Don’t think about it, just do it! The program is good. Take advantage of what’s available. Everybody has time for everything in their lives. If you set your mind to it, you can do it. It doesn’t matter if it takes a long time. All you have to do is organize yourself and think ‘where do I have a couple hours?’ I can work eight hours a day, but there’s still time in the day.”
Congratulations on your graduation, Guido! You may not be a pilot, but you’re flying ahead on your way to a world of new opportunities.
To the staff at Ventura County Library, Guido says, “Thank you for your help and support.” To anyone thinking about going back to school, Guido says, ”Don’t think about it, just do it! The program is good. Take advantage of what’s available. Everybody has time for everything in their lives. If you set your mind to it, you can do it. It doesn’t matter if it takes a long time. All you have to do is organize yourself and think ‘where do I have a couple hours?’ I can work 8 hours a day, but there’s still time in the day.”
Congratulations on your graduation, Guido! You may not be an airplane pilot, but you’re flying ahead on your way to a world of new opportunities.